George B. McClellan

Lore & Background

George B. McClellan was born in Philadelphia, the son of a surgeon who founded Jefferson Medical College. He attended the University of Pennsylvania at age 14, then entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1842 at age 15, graduating second in his class in 1846. During the Mexican-American War, he served as an engineering officer under Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott and Captain Robert E. Lee, and was brevetted for his actions at Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepec. After the war, he performed surveys for the transcontinental railroad and published a manual on bayonet tactics.

Reader's Guide

McClellan's significance lies in his role as the organizer of the Army of the Potomac and commander of the first major Union offensive in the Eastern Theater, the Peninsula campaign. Although initially successful against General Joseph E. Johnston, his campaign ended in defeat during the Seven Days Battles against General Robert E. Lee. His failure to pursue Lee after the Battle of Antietam, a tactical Union victory, led to his removal from command in November 1862. He later ran for president in 1864 on a platform that he repudiated, damaging his campaign. Historians note that Lee's victory in the Seven Days was pyrrhic, as he failed to destroy the Army of the Potomac. McClellan's later writings vigorously defended his Civil War conduct.

Did You Know?

• McClellan graduated second in his class of 59 cadets at West Point in 1846.
• He served as chief engineer and vice president of the Illinois Central Railroad and later president of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad.
• During the Mexican-American War, he served under Captain Robert E. Lee, whom he later faced at Antietam.
• He was the unsuccessful Democratic Party candidate in the 1864 presidential election against Abraham Lincoln.